Steele has served as the Precinct 1 constable in southern Dallas County since August 2012 when a judge appointed him to replace Evans, who was convicted of committing organized crime.

Steele is a lawyer and former Dallas County justice of the peace.

Evans was allowed to remain on the ballot because he is still appealing his conviction. His lawyers say they plan to take it as far as the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary. If his appeals fail, Evan’s peace officer license will be revoked.

Evans had served as constable for about a dozen years, but his last years in office were marked by allegations of corruption that launched various civil and criminal investigations.